Carrier for medication delivery devices

ABSTRACT

A medication carrier to be worn on the leg, ankle, arm or wrist of an individual is provided. In its preferred embodiment, the carrier comprises a continuous sleeve of stretchable, breathable and washable material with a vertical, column-like pocket constructed on the exterior portion thereof for carrying one or more auto-injectors. Preferably, the column includes a fastener which securely holds the medication, such as an EpiPen auto-injector, in the pocket. Preferably, the carrier includes an elastic portion with a sticky material, such as silicon, inlaying the inner lining of the upper band, at the top of the sleeve to further prevent slippage. Accordingly, when worn by the user, the invention provides a comfortable method of carrying medication, such as an auto-injector.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to carriers for medication, and more particularly to medication carriers worn on the leg, ankle, arm or wrist of an individual, typically a highly allergic individual or a person responsible for the care of an allergic individual such as a child.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A large number of individuals are highly allergic to foods and/or insect stings. Estimates are that about 11 million Americans suffer from food allergies alone, 2 million of which may be considered life-threatening, and many scientists agree the numbers are climbing. By some estimates, the number of peanut allergies doubled between 1997 and 2002 in children under 5. Other significant allergens present in common foods include dairy products, eggs and shellfish.

Epinephrine is generally used to treat an allergic patient. Epinephrine quickly relieves bronchial swelling, constricts blood vessels and acts to relieve swelling, thus allowing the patient to function until further treatment can be obtained.

Epinephrine is generally delivered via an auto-injector, e.g., a device commercially available under the trade name “EpiPen.” The auto-injector has a spring-activated needle that delivers a dose of epinephrine. Generally, the device is housed in an exterior case or shell to protect the pen from accidental discharge and damage.

However, epinephrine must be delivered very quickly after the onset of a reaction. Ensuring that allergy sufferers have the appropriate dosage of epinephrine with them at all times is the key to saving lives. Because exposure to allergic triggers can not be predicted, individuals who are subject to anaphylactic reactions must generally carry epinephrine auto-injectors at all times, or in the case of allergic children, adults supervising such children must carry an auto-injector. Typically, such auto-injectors are carried in totes that may be clipped or looped onto to a user's belt or backpack. Alternate carries include pouches that are also typically carried around the user's waist. However, many users, particularly physically active people and children, do not like carrying totes, either around their waists or clipped onto their belts or backpacks.

Accordingly, there is a great need for an improved medication carrier that may be comfortably carried by a user.

SUMMARY

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention a medication carrier to be worn on the leg, ankle, arm or wrist of an individual is provided. Particularly, in its preferred embodiment, the carrier comprises a continuous sleeve of stretchable, breathable and washable material with a vertical, column-like pocket constructed on the exterior portion thereof for carrying one or more auto-injectors. Preferably, the column includes a fastener at the top, such as a snap, button or hook-and-loop fastener, which securely holds the medication, such as an EpiPen auto-injector, in the pocket. The pocket may be divided into separate columns. Alternately, multiple columns may be attached on the sleeve. Preferably, the carrier includes an elastic portion with a sticky material, such as silicon, inlaying the inner lining of the upper band, at the top of the sleeve to further prevent slippage. Accordingly, when worn by the user, the invention provides a comfortable method of carrying medication, such as an auto-injector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a medication carrier in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a medication carrier 10 in accordance with the present invention. In its preferred embodiment, the carrier 10 comprises a continuous sleeve 40 of stretchable, breathable and washable material with one or more vertical, column-like pockets 20 and 21 constructed on the exterior portion of the sleeve 40 for carrying one or more medications, such as EpiPen auto-injectors (not shown). Preferably, the column(s) 20 and 21 includes a fastener, such as a snap 22 and 23, button or hook-and-loop fastener, at the top 20A and 21A of column(s) 20 and 21, which securely holds the medication in the pocket(s) 20 and 21. As shown, multiple columns 20 and 21 may be attached on the sleeve 40. Alternatively, a single pocket may be divided into separate internal columns (not shown), each column designed to hold the medication. Preferably, the carrier 10 includes one or more bands 30 of an elastic, sticky material, such as silicon, as commonly used in support bands on women's thigh-high stockings, inlaying the inner lining of top 40A of the sleeve 40 to further prevent slippage.

Although the present invention was discussed in terms of certain preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to such embodiments. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and combinations of the features set forth above can be utilized without departing from the present invention as set forth in the claims. Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the preceding description but should be ascertained by reference to claims that follow. 

1. A carrier for carrying medication, such as an auto-injector, on a appendage of a user, comprising: an elongated continuous cylindrical sleeve portion having a top portion, an exterior face and an interior face; at least one column shaped pocket formed on the exterior of said sleeve, said pocket adapted to secure at least one said medication; and at least one band of sticky material on the interior face of the top portion of said sleeve, said sticky material being adapted to secure said carrier to said appendage of said user.
 2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein said sticky material comprises silicon.
 3. The carrier of claim 1 further comprising a fastener on said pocket, said fastener further securing said medication
 4. The carrier of claim 3 wherein said fastener comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.
 5. A carrier for carrying an auto-injector of medication on a appendage of a user, comprising: an elongated continuous cylindrical sleeve portion having a top portion, an exterior face and an interior face; at least one column shaped pocket formed on the exterior of said sleeve, said pocket adapted to secure at least one said auto-injector; and at least one band of sticky material on the interior face of the top portion of said sleeve, said sticky material being adapted to secure said carrier to said appendage of said user.
 6. The carrier of claim 5, wherein said sticky material comprises silicon.
 7. The carrier of claim 5 further comprising a fastener on said pocket, said fastener further securing said medication. The carrier of claim 5 wherein said fastener comprises a hook-and-loop fastener.
 8. A carrier for carrying medication, such as an auto-injector, on a appendage of a user, comprising: an elongated continuous cylindrical sleeve portion having a top portion, an exterior face and an interior face; and at least one column shaped pocket formed on the exterior of said sleeve, said pocket adapted to secure at least one said medication.
 9. The carrier of claim 8, further comprising a fastener on said pocket, said fastener further securing said medication 